Category Archives: Reunions

November 22, 2013 · 4:06 pm

Los Angeles Alumni – Already Excited for Alumni Weekend 2014

By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

Alumni Weekend 2014 seems so far off. With fall colors decorating campus and cool temperatures descending for Homecoming, it is hard to imagine the campus will be full of full green trees and thousands of alumni in only six months.

This week, spearheaded by the Class of 1989, Los Angeles-area alumni from the classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999 gathered at the home of Penn Alumni President Julie Beren Platt, C’79, PAR’05, PAR’08, PAR’12 and her husband Marc, also C’79, PAR’05, PAR’08, PAR’12, for a pre-reunion party.

This same reunion cycle partied five years ago in anticipation of their reunion, also at Julie and Marc’s home, so 1989 Reunion Chair Lolita Jackson, ENG’89, decided that everyone should gather again, and they did! The Class of 1989 had the largest showing at the gathering, no surprise since they’ll be celebrating their 25^th reunion in May. The other classes enjoyed gathering early in the reunion year, and mingling with other local alumni.

The Class of 1989 had a strong showing!

Julie welcomed and thanked everyone for attending – and said that she is looking forward to her 35^th reunion. Lolita Jackson and Beth Kean then took over a Penn trivia contest – there was a friendly competitive spirit in the audience and a few hecklers – but it was all in good fun.

Julie Platt welcomes everyone while Lolita Jackson, ENG’89, and Beth Kean, ENG’89, look on.

Penn trivia contest – hotly contested!

At 8:00, the Class of 1989 headed out to an after-party (it seems that after graduating, the “after” parties become earlier…) and the rest of the group left for home soon after.

If the enthusiasm and energy of these Los Angeles alumni is any indication, Alumni Weekend 2014 will be a smashing success – and one you won’t want to miss!

Hurrah 1994!

Looking good 1999!

Connect with your class on Facebook to be informed about other pre-reunion gatherings and Alumni Weekend details:

Class of 1979

Class of 1989

Class of 1994

Class of 1993 (yes, we’re already thinking about our 25^th in 2018!)

See all the photos from the event here.

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Filed under Alumni Weekend, Class of 1993, Kiera R., Photos, Reunions, West Coast Regional Office

Tagged as alumni weekend, Class of 1979, Class of 1984, Class of 1989, Class of 1994, Class of 1999, Facebook, kiera, Kiera Reilly, Los Angeles, penn alumni, Photographs, photos, reunions, West Coast Regional Office

July 11, 2013 · 6:47 pm

Locust Walk Talk: Better Late than Never – Class of 1995 in San Francisco

Author: Casey Ryan, C’95

I called out of work today due to a headache. I was able to sleep it off and I’m feeling better now. However, I forgot that it was my day for a blog entry.

So really short, I’m going to share with you some of my pictures from San Francisco. I went to the City for the Fourth of July to celebrate the 40th birthday year of the Class of 1995. Our trip, called San Fran 73-13, was put together by Susan Webner, W’95 and Sara Golomb, C’95.

Look forward to a more detailed write up soon.

The view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Saturday’s bike ride.

A panoramic view of the Ferry Building interior

Fresh Cheese at the Farmer’s Market.

Most of the trip attendees, a ton from the Class of 1995.

A selfie, in the Presidio, at the Off the Grid, food truck picnic. Gotta like a place named after you.

We had a great time and we’re looking forward to meeting up again before we return to campus in 2015 for our 20th reunion.

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Filed under 20th Reunion, Casey R., Class of 1995, Locust Walk Talk, Reunions

May 27, 2013 · 12:27 pm

Class of 2012 Celebrates One Year Reunion

Author: Marvin Rocha

In Harvest Season Grill and Wine Bar’s backroom, a place that held a MarBar’s dance floor, 80 members from the class of 2012 converged for their first year reunion–a milestone for Penn as it was the first time that we’ve honored and celebrated this important milestone. For decades, Penn has welcomed thousands of former students back to campus during Alumni Weekend, with a special invitation sent to those in reunion year. The first reunion events included the yPenn Highball, Franklin Fest, Taste of Penn, the alumni parade of classes, and the signature class specific event at Harvest.

Members from the class of 2012 reconnected and walked away with a little piece of Penn in their pocket: the 1^st reunion gift was a credit-card-sized bottle opener.

And here is the Class of 2012, carrying their class flag and Penn traditions banner with parade during Alumni Weekend 2013! We hope to carry this new Penn tradition ever onward.

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Filed under Alumni Weekend, Marvin R., Reunions, y-Penn, yPenn

Tagged as Class of 2012

May 2, 2013 · 6:10 am

Party Like It’s 1993!

By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

In just over a week, the Penn Class of 1993 will celebrate our 20^th reunion with a full schedule of events (see the full line-up here). But, let’s remind ourselves why we’re so excited to return – to reconnect and remember all the good times we had while on campus (click on images to see them full sized).

In the spirit of these party invites from long ago, here’s one last invite – come back to Penn and help us party like it’s 1993!

Penn 1993 – it’s less than two weeks until our 20^th reunion – and advance registration closes on Friday! Don’t forget to:

Register
Join our Facebook group
Follow us on Tumblr and Twitter
Watch our Video
Make a gift
Look who’s coming – and where they’re coming from
Encourage your friends to attend

We can’t wait to see you on campus May 10-11, 2013!

See our previous reunion posts here:

Hey Day 1993 – 21 Years Later – April 24, 2013

Meet Me at the Button – March 30, 2013

Drink a Highball…at Nightfall – March 15, 2013

Celebrating Feb Club – 20 Years Later – February 26, 2013

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Filed under 20th Reunion, Alumni Weekend, Class of 1993, Kiera R., Memories of Penn, Photos, Reunions

Tagged as 20th reunion, alumni weekend, kiera, Kiera Reilly, penn alumni, Penn Class of 1993

April 30, 2013 · 1:39 pm

5th Reunion Preview

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

My 5^th Reunion is in 10 days, and I am bursting with excitement! The Reunion Outreach Committee has been working tirelessly for many months to make sure that the Class of 2008 has an incredible and unforgettable reunion. Here are a few events that 08ers can look forward to next weekend.

CELEBR(08) AT CITY TAP HOUSE
Friday, May 10^th, 10 PM – 2 AM
3925 Walnut Street

Two bars (complete with drink specials) will be reserved for the Class of 2008 in the restaurant’s lower terrace.

Celebr(08) on Friday night at City Tap House.

CLASS OF 2008 PEER PANEL: ENTREPRENEUERSHIP AND START-UPS
Saturday, May 11^th, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk, Room 1206
Fellow alums will talk about their start-ups in various fields – including business, social, tech, and non-profit. 08ers have accomplished so much since graduation, and this panel highlights how several alums are carving their own path to success.

Panelists:

Jason Gurwin, Co-Founder and CEO of Pushpins

Raymond John, Co-Founder and President of 12+

Abe Kwon, Founder and Chairman of 12+

Rachit Shukla, Founder, Partner, and CEO of Two Toasters

Brian Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Fitocracy

Michael Young, Co-Founder and Director, Technology Development of Innova Dynamics

The founders of these companies are all Penn 2008 alumni. Come hear them talk about entrepreneurship and start-ups.

ALUMNI PARADE OF CLASSES

Saturday, May 11^th

Parade line-up will be at 11:45 AM (on Locust Walk between 36th and 37th, complete with drinks and snacks to get the party started) and the parade is from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.

Relive Hey Day by marching down Locust Walk with other 08ers.

ALUMNI DAY PICNIC

Saturday, May 11^th, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM, Hill Field

2008 classmates, families and guests are invited to enjoy “One Last Fling,” a throwback to Spring Fling. This picnic buffet includes performing student groups, live music, entertainment – and most importantly – fried Oreos!

Remember fried Oreos at Fling? There will be fried Oreos at the Saturday picnic!

5TH REUNION MASQUER(08) PARTY

Saturday, May 11^th, 9 PM – 1 AM

Perelman Quadrangle, Wynn Commons Tent, 3417 Spruce Street

Celebr(08) your return to Penn by going back to where it all started. Join us for an exciting evening with good food, great friends, an open bar, and a killer dance floor. Share your personal updates and amazing memories with classmates, and make this party the highlight of our Alumni Weekend. Dress to impress!

The Saturday night party is the big event! Iron Chef Jose Garces is catering the party, so come hungry!

Don’t forget to register! Advance registration ends this Friday. 5th reunion classmates can register here. But you don’t have to be celebrating a reunion to attend. All alumni are welcome and can still register online here.

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Filed under 5th Reunion, Alumni Perspective, Alumni Weekend, Reunions

April 24, 2013 · 6:30 pm

Hey Day 1993 – 21 Years Later

By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

As the Junior Class celebrates Hey Day today, the Class of 1993 is busy preparing for our 20^th reunion in just a few short weeks. But it’s also a good time to think back and remember our time as students. It’s hard to believe that twenty-one years ago, on April 24, 1992, we were strutting down Locust Walk about to become Seniors and officially begin our last year at Penn.

Remember the bookstore wall? Huntsman Hall now stands where this wall was. Hey Day is coming – buy your hat, canes and shirts!

I asked my classmates to share their memories of Hey Day, but no one was willing to fess up and share anything on the record. So, here is Hey Day 1993…names withheld to protect the innocent.

Anonymous Classmate #1

OMG, Hey Day! I had 3 job offers and was deciding between them. Completely forgot that a rep from one of the 3 firms was coming to meet me that day to talk about his company. After many, many cocktails, I stumbled back to off-campus housing midday in my red t-shirt and broken hat to find him sitting on my front steps. I could hardly put 2 words together. Cheers to my housemates who saved the day and invited him into our filthy stinking apartment and got him completely wasted. Needless to say, I accepted the offer and stayed at that job for 12 years. It was so awesome. He was my first boss — we just had drinks together this past Tuesday!!

Everyone gathered in off-campus apartments and houses to start the celebration.

Anonymous Classmate #2

First of all it was one of my best days at Penn – being with all my best friends on the Junior Balcony, hugging each other and laughing, while at the same time seeing – in one place – so many of our classmates that I had met during the 3 years before.

I remember after all the festivities started to die down, standing buzzed in the lightly falling rain in the middle of College Green listening to Jerry Brown give a campaign speech for President. I remember thinking, “Boy did his campaign staff really pick the wrong day to come to campus!” Everyone in the audience was a drunk junior – barely standing, cheering and not listening to him. It was a surreal experience for sure!

We made our way from Super Block, over the 38th Street Bridge.

And then we headed to the Quad.

Anonymous Classmate #3

I remember I had a blast that day…smooched a couple people amid the hustle and bustle and had a great excuse to act silly and irresponsible all day. What I remember most though is how I ended the day…meeting class of ’92 friends on Locust Walk. One friend (Name withheld), W’92, took a bite out of my styrofoam hat and then drenched me in beer head to toe. He told me it was part of the Hey Day tradition and to this day I am not sure if his claim was true or just a sneaky opportunity to soak me 🙂

And our class board led us down Locust Walk to College Green.
L-R: Ed Miller, Elissa Laitin, Lisa Luther, Julie Berliner, Chrissy Bass, Mike Rosenband, Laurie Bieber, Brooke Hayes. Not pictured Jennifer Spadano and Doug Rosenberg.

Congratulations to the Class of 2014 – we hope you have wonderful memories of today to share twenty-one years from now!

The Penn Archives shared the history of Hey Day.

See photos from today’s Hey Day on campus by following @UofPenn on Instragram or @Penn on Twitter. Hashtag is #HeyDay.

1993 Classmates – it’s only a few weeks until our 20^th reunion

Register
Join our Facebook group
Follow us on Tumblr and Twitter
Watch our Video
Make a gift
Look who’s coming – and where they’re coming from
Encourage your friends to attend

We can’t wait to see you on campus May 10-11, 2013!

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Filed under 20th Reunion, Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Class of 1993, Historical, Kiera R., Memories of Penn, Photos, Reunions, Traditions

Tagged as 20th reunion, Hey Day, HeyDay, kiera, Kiera Reilly, Penn 1993, Penn Class of 1993, Photographs, photos, reunions, traditions

March 30, 2013 · 8:12 am

Penn 1993 – Meet Me at the Button!

By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

The countdown to Alumni Weekend continues, and before we know it we’ll be back on campus celebrating our 20^th reunion. The Penn Class of 1993 reunion and gift committees are calling and emailing classmates, encouraging them to attend and to make a gift to The Penn Fund.

To get everyone in the Red and Blue spirit for Alumni Weekend, here are some buttons I’ve collected from when I was a student, the first few years after we graduated, and now as a staff member in alumni relations.

Buttons I collected while working for alumni relations.

Homecoming 1998 and 2000, Penn’s 250th Anniversary in 1990, and Ivy Champs in ’92-’93.

1992’s South Street Strut, 1993s Walnut Walk and South Street Strut

Does anyone else have a Penn button collection?

We hope to see everyone from the Class of 1993 at THE Button in May!

For details about our Saturday parade and picnic, and BIG class Quad party, click here! Don’t forget to follow our Facebook and Twitter. Check out who is planning to come here. Go online and register now!

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Filed under 20th Reunion, Alumni Perspective, Alumni Weekend, Class of 1993, Historical, Kiera R., Memories of Penn, Photos, Reunions

Tagged as 1993, alumni weekend, Class of 1993, kiera, Kiera Reilly, Penn 1993, penn alumni, Penn Class of 1993, Photographs, photos

March 19, 2013 · 2:52 pm

Penn Décor

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

As my 5^th reunion gets closer – only 51 more days! – the reunion committee is finalizing décor for our Saturday night class party. I was so inspired by the Penn décor at last Friday’s 2^nd Annual Presidents Meeting. Here are a few photos from the cocktail hour and dinner in College Hall Room 200.

The blue table linens complemented the red popcorn bags so nicely. I see red and blue everywhere!

Each table setting included sheet music for “Drink A Highball”. While it was neat to see the sheet music, the printout was unnecessary. All of the class leaders knew the song by heart.